Cycling in Amsterdam

Cycling in Amsterdam is the most
authentic way for any visitor to see the city.

Amsterdam is perfectly
set up for getting on your bike - there are 400km (250 miles) of dedicated cycle
lanes. For expats the bicycle becomes a cheap and essential way of getting around
town... and it will keep you fit!

Cycling is deeply ingrained
into the Dutch psyche at all levels of society - not surprising when you consider
how flat the Netherlands is. There are some 18 million bikes in the country (Netherlands
has a population of 16.7 million) and on any working day between 8am and 9am in
the morning almost 2 million bikes will be on Dutch roads!

With
so many bikes it's not surprising to note that bike theft in Amsterdam
is rampant - over 200 bikes a day are stolen. You may be approached by a dodgy
stranger on the street offering to sell you a bike for €5 or €10 - don't
think about it as these are stolen and you risk a fine of €190, as well as
perpetuating this criminal activity.

Due to risk of theft, most locals
ride battered old cycles for normal use around town. Most Dutch cyclists will
also own a more expensive bike for touring - given that there are 100,000 km of
well marked cycle routes around the country.

Many locals cycle in an assertive
(if not 'kamikaze') manner - they travel at good speed very close to each other,
they will often ignore red lights, they will pull out from side streets without
looking, they will shout "Ja, Hallo!" in annoyance if you inadvertently
walk into the cycle lane and they will park their bike in the middle of the pavement
on a busy shopping street!

If
you want to ride a bike around the city it does take a bit of practice to get
up to speed with the locals - so take some care initially. A lot of bad cycling
seen in the centre of Amsterdam is actually done by inexperienced tourists who
may not do much bike riding at home.

You should always follow the traffic
rules (including obeying the special cycle traffic lights), be careful crossing
tram tracks (do so at an angle) and watch out for trams, pedestrians and other
cyclists. Don't listen to headphones whilst cycling - you need to hear what's
around you. Stick to the designated cycle lanes - do not ride on pavements, squares
or pedestrianised ways.

There are different types of designated cycle
lanes (fietspad) - these can be marked on the road itself; or cycle
lanes can be physically separated from both the road and pavement. Cycle lanes
are usually one-way though a dashed line in the middle indicates travel allowed
in both directions.

Use
hand signals for turning left/right when there are other road users around you.
Unless otherwise signed, priority is given to traffic coming from your right.
And don't forget you officially need a front and back light when it is dark or
in poor visibility.

The Dutch are not "health and safety" obsessed
(unlike the UK, for example) and do not use cycle helmets - even many moped/scooter
riders will not wear them. Most Dutch car drivers however, have a very good awareness
of cyclists and will give way where necessary.

Note that the most basic
Dutch bikes have a single gear and use back-pedal brakes which takes some
getting used to if you are accustomed to hand brakes.

There
are a number of secure bike parking facilities (fietsenstalling) run by
the council - with locations in the centre of Amsterdam at Paradiso and Pathé
De Munt. Outside Amsterdam central station there is the well known 3-storey fietsflat
(pictured above right) which can store 2,500 bikes.

If parking your bike
on the street always lock the frame and front wheel against something fixed
like a cycle rack, railing or post. Expats who own a bike should invest in a decent
set of locks.

A good second-hand bike can easily cost €100 to €250
- for cheaper bikes try Recycled Bicycles (Spuistraat 84a) or go to the market
at Waterlooplein. Strong locks can be bought at Waterlooplein or Albert Cuyp markets.
Dutch department store HEMA also sells a range of basic cycling accessories. Other
shops selling new bikes include Halfords, Decathlon and V&D.

Expats
should consider joining the OV-Fiets national
bike rental scheme run by NS Dutch railways.

There are many bike repair
shops in the city so if you get a puncture you should not have far to walk to
get it fixed.